The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has today commenced a public inquiry into whether the wholesale asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) service should continue to be regulated.
The ACCC first declared access to the wholesale ADSL service in February 2012. The ACCC is required to review the declaration before it expires in February 2017.
ADSL technologies provide high speed fixed-line broadband services over copper networks. ADSL services are currently the dominant fixed-line broadband technology in Australia.
“A number of changes have occurred since the wholesale ADSL service was first declared in 2012, including the progressive rollout of the National Broadband Network,” ACCC Commissioner Roger Featherston said.
“This inquiry will assist the ACCC in determining whether continued declaration of the wholesale ADSL service is in the long-term interests of end users.”
The discussion paper issued today seeks submissions on a range of issues relevant to the inquiry. Submissions are invited by 29 July 2016. The submissions will inform the ACCC’s decision-making.
The wholesale ADSL service discussion paper is available at wholesale ADSL declaration inquiry 2016 webpage.
The ACCC expects to finalise its decision in early 2017 before the current declaration expires.
Background:
The ACCC can declare a service if it is satisfied that doing so would promote the long-term interests of end users. Once a service is declared, a network owner must provide access to the service upon request and where commercial agreement cannot be reached the ACCC must determine regulated price and non-price terms. Declaration ensures all service providers have access to the infrastructure they need to supply competitive communications services to end-users.
